biased with José Criales-Unzueta

People love to call themselves stylists these days, but are they? Most folks are not 100% sure of what a stylist even does, let alone what it takes to be one. If you're one of them, fear not! On today's episode of biased, superstar stylist Ronnie Hart unpacks all things styling for you.  Ronnie walks us through his career as a stylist and gives us all the tea on what it's taken to get to where he is. From starting out at CR Fashion Book with Carine Roitfeld to styling music videos for Olivia Rodrigo and Troye Sivan and working with Brazilian popstar Anitta and emerging designer Saint Sintra, he's done it all! The scope of his work includes runway, editorial, and celebrity styling, so he graciously explains the differences between all of these and which one he tends to enjoy the most. Ronnie also discusses the importance of having a signature style and how he balances this with clients, plus, he makes a solid argument as to why it's still important to intern/assist and "cut your teeth" before branching out on your own (which I wholeheartedly agree with).  Ronnie is a stylist and consultant based in NYC and LA. Follow Ronnie on Instagram: instagram.com/ronnie_hart Follow José on Instagram: instagram.com/eljosecriales

In this week's episode of Biased, esthetician and beauty icon Sean Garrette joins us to talk about the intersections of fashion and beauty in his own work and why he thinks the beauty and skincare industries exploded in the last few years. We also get personal and talk about our own relationships with fashion and style, touching on our shared frustration with sizing and the lack of body diversity in menswear. Plus, Sean tells us about his latest appointment as Dior Beauty's U.S. Skincare Expert, and we chat about our endless tussle with imposter syndrome and owning the opportunities we have earned. As two terminally Instagram-based creators, we also chatted about all things *content* and the trials and tribulations of having an Instagram aesthetic. Sean is a New York city-based esthetician and content creator. Prior to being the Dior Beauty U.S. Skincare Expert, he was a brand ambassador for Rihanna's Fenty Skin (gag, I know). Follow Sean on Instagram: instagram.com/seangarrette Follow José on Instagram: instagram.com/eljosecriales

The influencer complex has grown and gotten more intricate over time. What does an influencer do? but most importantly, what are they influencing? what's the actual *influence* they have over fashion, culture, and people?  In this week's episode, Alexander Roth joins us to talk about the way influencers have grown to become a key element of fashion comms strategies. Plus, we chat about the difference between influence and clout and how we tend to confuse them, online visibility and having a "brand" of content, and why has fashion become so dependent of online personalities. Alex also walks us through his work in and out of social media, and we both answer whether or not we think we're "influencers" (lol). Alexander Roth is a New York City-based producer, art director, and model. He's worked with brands like Dior, Prada, Saint Laurent, MAC, and Gucci, and partnered with the CFDA and LVMH. 

Have you ever wondered what a fashion publicist does? Who those gorgeous gorgeous girls standing at the doors of fashion events with iPads and headsets are? If all those things you've heard about 'PR girls' are true? In today's episode of Biased, José and fashion publicist Gregory Werbowsky discuss the magic of fashion public relations. Gregory and I discussed all things fashion PR including myths and misconceptions on what a publicist is and what they do, how can brands navigate social justice, and what the present and future of fashion PR are. We also talked about how he approaches different clients, his 'big break' and career journey, and tried to answer the ultimate PR question: is all press good press?  Gregory has been in the industry for over a decade, working in Fashion PR, Events, and Celebrity Relations. He's held director-level positions at top PR firms as well as senior-level in-house positions. Some of his clients included Bode, Edie Parker, Loeffler Randall, and others. Fed up with the big agency model and looking to give emerging designers a well-rounded level of attention, he Co-Founded Loft Creative Group, a creative and communications agency, where he is Head of Public Relations. Some of his current clients include Christopher John Rogers, Elena Velez, Gypsy Sport, and PH5.  Follow José on Instagram: @eljosecriales Follow Gregory on Instagram: @gregorywerbowsky Check out Loft Creative Group: @loftcreativegrouppr

In today's episode of Biased, José and Joseph Maglieri unpack the magic, myths, and misconceptions of Fashion Week. Joseph and I dive deep into Fashion Week and discuss everything from key players to whether it's "worth it" to show and what it actually takes to do so (it's *expensive*). We also talk about regional biases and stereotypes (New York is so commercial! London is the epitome of creativity and subversion, Milan is so luxe! Paris is the only girl that matters, etc.), who actually gets to go to shows, who needs to be there, and how has the p*ndemic changed the way we experience fashion shows and made us more understanding and receptive to alternatives.  Joseph is a director at the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). He's been at the CFDA for over six years leading New York Fashion Week planning from the schedule to designer identification as well as working on equity and social impact programs. Before CFDA, Joseph worked at Opening Ceremony in SoHo and began his career in fashion working for UNIQLO helping to manage their +J Jil Sander division for the New York City flagship. He’s an NYU graduate with a background in social science. Follow José on Instagram: @eljosecriales Follow Joseph on Instagram: @josephmaglieri

On today’s episode, Phlemuns founder James Flemons and I discuss the building of community through fashion. Whether it is through his social media presence on Tumblr, Twitter, or Instagram, or through his pop-ups, sample sales, and product drops, James has managed to create a brand built on a consistent open interaction with an ever growing community. His authenticity and honesty are unique and necessary for the industry today and I am grateful for his openness while we discussed his trajectory and journey until today. James and I also discuss fashion's relationship with music, and how important fashion is for artists to create "eras" and visuals. Through his brand Phlemuns, he often collaborates with musicians and has been a part of many iconic moments in music including dressing Solange for her Don't Touch My Hair music video, Lil Nas X for his TIME magazine cover, Lizzo, Kelsey Lu, Rico Nasty, and more.  We also talk about some of the challenges of running your own brand in today's industry, his early career working at Opening Ceremony, our personal style journeys, and our mental health journeys. James is a designer, artist, and activist. He is the designer and founder of PHLEMUNS. Follow José on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eljosecriales/ Follow José on Twitter: https://twitter.com/eljosecriales Follow James on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unclephlem Follow Phlemuns on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Phlemuns Follow James on Twitter: https://twitter.com/phakephlemuns

Para este primer episodio de Biased en español tuve el gusto de sentarme a hablar con Guillermo Fonseca, comentador y crítico de moda Mexicano mejor conocido como @fashiontheorist . Guillermo y yo discutimos la importancia de la identidad individual en la moda latinoamericana en contraste al imaginario colectivo visual de la industria internacional hacia la moda el nuestra región. Discutimos también los problemas de esta perspectiva internacional que trabaja bajo la impresión que en Latinoamérica todo es siempre resort y volados y mangas abombadas.  También hablamos de la apropiación cultural, de la inspiración y obsesión con "reinventar" símbolos y elementos de culturas indígenas, y mucho más. Guillermo es escritor, comentador y crítico de moda, y consultor creativo. Sígueme en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eljosecriales/ Sígueme en Twitter: https://twitter.com/eljosecriales Sigue a Guillermo en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fashiontheorist

On today’s episode of Biased, casting director and editor Irene Ojo-Felix and I discuss all things casting including diversity vs. tokenism, advocating for models, and what in her opinion is today's "model look". We also talk about supermodels, influencers as models and social media, and more! Irene is a New York based editor, casting director, and fashion media consultant with almost a decade of experience with some of New York's top fashion media brands and influencers. She is currently the features editor at models.com and runs her own full-service casting company Sola Casting (@solacasting). Irene casts across the spectrum of creative projects for music videos, fashion shows, advertising campaigns, editorials, and special projects. Follow José on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eljosecriales/ Follow José on Twitter: https://twitter.com/eljosecriales Follow Irene on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iojofx Check out Irene's company: https://www.instagram.com/solacasting

On today’s episode of Biased, model and culture writer Nassia Matsa tells us about her career as a model and writer, while we discuss our relationships with fashion as first spectators and now insiders. Nassia and I also discuss fashion as both a cultural tool and research tool, creativity in times of the pandemic, today's polymaths, and how important it is that the work that we do adds to the conversation. Nassia is a model and writer born in Athens, Greece and currently living in London. She has written for publications like Financial Times, Dazed, Love Magazine, and multiple editions of Vogue. She has also modeled for brands including Balenciaga and Marine Serre and publications such as Puss Puss Magazine, The Glass Magazine, and multiple editions of Vogue including Vogue Italia and Vogue Portugal. Follow José on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eljosecriales/ Follow José on Twitter: https://twitter.com/eljosecriales Follow Nassia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nassia_

On today’s episode of Biased, Paper Magazine fashion editor Mario Abad tells us about his career in fashion journalism, his role as an editor, and his thoughts on fashion media today. Mario and I also discuss writing about fashion independently, as a freelancer, and as part of a publication. Plus, we dive deep into the evolution of fashion media, the importance of writing about fashion in a meaningful way, online fashion commentary, and how publications can keep good brand relationships while still reporting transparently. We also talk about our shared love for brand quarterly financial reports and our favorite fashion writers today. Mario is a writer and editor living in New York City. He's currently the fashion editor at Paper Magazine where he's been for the past two years and has also written style and culture pieces for Fashionista, Men's Health, Footwear News, Robb Report and Forbes. Follow José on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eljosecriales/ Follow José on Twitter: https://twitter.com/eljosecriales Follow Mario on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marioabad/ Follow Mario on Twitter: https://twitter.com/marioaabad